USS Jacksonville Departs for Western Pacific Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Los Angeles-class submarine USS Jacksonville (SSN 699) departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific region June 2.

"This will be the first western pacific deployment for the USS Jacksonville and a majority of the crew," said Cmdr. Tyler L. Meador, Jacksonville commanding officer.

"The crew has worked extremely hard to prepare for this deployment and ready this warship for sea. It represents an opportunity to display the skills they have developed to accomplish missions critical to the regional commander and for the national security of the United States."

Jacksonville is the 12th Los Angeles-class submarine and first ship to bear the name of the Florida city.